Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral [1] took place 19 Sept., where the royal family paid their respects [2] to the longest reigning British monarch [3] at Westminster Abbey. Meghan Markle [4], 41, attended the sombre occasion in an outfit that paid tribute to her time with the queen in more ways than one.
The Duchess of Sussex [5] styled a black caped Stella McCartney dress over sheer black tights and satin heels, finishing her look with her Cartier love bracelet, Valentino Garavani gloves, and a bespoke Stephen Jones Millinery x Dior hat. The shift dress, which came to knee length to abide by the official dress code [6], may look familiar as Markle wore a nearly-identical one, albeit in navy blue, to the queen's 92nd birthday concert at Royal Albert Hall on 21 April, 2018 — just one month before she wed Prince Harry [7].
Markle's reception gown [8] at her nuptials was also designed by McCartney, the British designer who was bestowed with a CBE [9] (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the Platinum Jubilee in June. The fitting choice has a connection to Kate Middleton's funeral outfit, too, as she also chose a British label in Alexander McQueen (the fashion house behind her own wedding gown).
Markle's most important accessory was her pearl earrings, which she also wore last Wednesday [10], 14 Sept. for a service following the procession of the queen's coffin [11] from Buckingham Palace. Not only are pearls traditionally said to symbolise purity and tears [12], but Markle's special pair were a gift from the queen ahead of their first solo outing together [13] in Cheshire in June 2018.
Ultimately, Markle left no stone unturned when it came to making her sartorial choices. Ahead, see her previous Stella McCartney dress from 2018, and how she honoured the Queen today.
Meghan Markle Wearing the Stella McCartney Dress in Navy, 2018
On the evening of Queen Elizabeth II's 92nd birthday, then bride-to-be joined Prince Harry at the Royal Albert Hall for a celebratory concert. She styled her navy Stella McCartney cape dress with a Naeem Khan zodiac clutch, Manolo Blahnik suede pumps, gold jewellery from Shaun Leane, and delicate Catbird rings. Harry matched his fiancée in a navy blue suit.
Meghan Markle at Queen Elizabeth II's State Funeral, 2022
